Interview with Anni from yogagypsy.de

I’m Anni, and I’m 31 years old. I grew up in Hamburg in Germany, where it’s rainy most of the time. Maybe that’s why I developed such a strong passion for traveling. Or maybe it’s because my parents used to take me on road trips for as long as I can remember.
I’m currently working as an art director in an advertising agency, but I will participate in yoga teacher training soon, because my love for yoga and especially it’s philosophy becomes more and more important in my life every day.

What style of yoga do you practice or teach

I practice Vinyasa Flow – and I will teach it soon. I fell in love with the rhythm of breathing and flowing through the asanas, and I also like yoga to be a bit straining. For me, there is nothing bad in gaining a few muscles while also training your mind and soul. 😉

Do you remember your first ever yoga class?

It was a really strange accident that my first yoga class was in one of my former advertising agencies. This business can be very stressful and it was there when I really needed it most. It was a Vinyasa class and looking back I was completely unaware of how important this would become in my life…

How has yoga made a difference to your life?

Yoga has completely changed my way of thinking – towards myself and others. Since I practice meditation more or less daily and have dived into the old philosophies of yoga. I’ve learned so much about myself and how to see the world. Most importantly for my usually really unstable mind is that I’ve learned that my thoughts are not the reality. This helps me in so many situations, and I’m so grateful to finally hold the key to my monkey mind in my own hands!

Where is your favorite destination?

My all-time favorite and the country I lost my heart in is definitely Australia. I just love the vibes there and its endless nature. I could stay there forever!

If you could get on a plane anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

My next travel goal is Cambodia! I’m hoping to have the opportunity to practice my teaching skills there after I complete my teacher training in October.

What lessons have you learned from travel?

I learned how relieving it is to live with less. All that materialistic stuff people gather all their life does not make you any richer!

What are you most looking forward to this year?

That’s an easy one! 😉 My teacher training in Goa. So I can finally start teaching.

If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?

Maybe to stay calmer in certain situations. That has always been a bit difficult to me. But that’s a lesson you have to learn while growing up and it’s not a thing someone can just tell you – so it wouldn’t have changed anything probably…

What motivates you?

To become a stronger and even more reflected woman. Because the more grounded I am the more I can give back to others.

What are your favorite books?

Bhagavad Gita

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Watch your thoughts; for they become words. Watch your words; for they become actions. Watch your actions; for they become habits. Watch your habits; for they become the character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.

Annika Thiemann

I'm Anni, and I’m 31 years old. I grew up in Hamburg in Germany, where it's rainy most of the time. Maybe that’s why I developed such a strong passion for traveling. Or maybe it’s because my parents used to take me on road trips for as long as I can remember.
I'm currently working as an art director in an advertising agency, but I will participate in yoga teacher training soon, because my love for yoga and especially it's philosophy becomes more and more important in my life every day.